Watch: ‘I Didn’t Feel Safe Going To The Council’: New B’kara Mayor Faces Threats, Harassment And Council Break-In
One month since getting elected as mayor of Birkirkara for a three-month term, Desirei Grech has candidly opened up about her experience in the job.
Grech told Lovin Malta that while she is enjoying the experience overall, she has encountered obstacles by council workers and certain locals who refuse to accept that responsibility for the council has shifted from PL to PN.
“I encountered a lot of subtle harassment and threats and I had to call in the police,” she admitted. “There were times where I didn’t feel safe coming to the council.”
“This is a political issue. Some people cannot accept that the page has turned in Birkirkara and that I am now mayor. From my end, I extended a hand of friendship to everyone from day one.”
Grech said she has had to deal with threatening notes, people entering the council offices without permission, council workers harassing other works, and even a break-in, where padlocks were broken.
“These are crimes and we had to report them to the police and the Superintendent of the locality.”
Moreover, she said she also had to deal with acts of vandalism, with protected trees chopped down and dustbins broken.
On a positive note, Grech said she believes she is fulfilling her pre-election promise to address issues related to dereliction and cleanliness in Birkirkara.
“I made sure that cleaning works and road maintenance are carried out more frequently. I will leave it up to the residents to judge, but I think their greatest challenges are being addressed.”
She added that the council, in collaboration with the Water Services Department, managed to solve a longstanding drainage leak issue, and that it is carrying out maintenance and beautification works in several gardens.
And of course, work is ongoing – along with NGOs – in preparation for the Feast of St Helen’s.
“I haven’t lost heart,” Grech assured. “There were days when I returned home in a state of worry, which concerned my relatives, but these obstacles have only strengthened me more. I am committed to working harder with each passing day for the good of the people of Birkirkara.”
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